In an effort to highlight the lived experiences of people with autism, Hammack Law Firm offered the Living With Autism scholarship for incoming college students. This year, Noah Durkin-White has been awarded the $2,500 prize.
Mr. Durkin-White’s winning essay detailed his experiences within the American school system. In elementary school, he wrote, he was aided by two caring teachers who understood that students often learn in different ways.
However, middle and high school classes, especially the “special education” courses that were used as a catch-all for students with a variety of disorders and learning disabilities, were difficult.
Fortunately, Durkin-White transferred to a high school that was more suited to his needs, and he began to thrive. Where he had initially struggled against bullies and failed to “fit in,” he now gravitated toward people who better understood him and used his previous trauma to develop empathy for others in similar situations. “I developed resilience,” he said.
What truly set Noah Durkin-White apart from other applicants, however, was his dedication to making the world a better place. Though only 23, his ambitions are limitless. Here’s what Noah plans to do with his future:
- He plans to study psychology this fall at Columbia University.
- After getting his Bachelor’s degree, his goal is to study to become a neurologist.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, he began volunteering with StreetWatchLA, which provides water and other forms of assistance to unhoused people in local communities.
Hammack Law Firm is proud to support the education of Noah Durkin-White through the Living With Autism scholarship. Our goal as a personal injury law firm is to provide assistance and aid to those who need it and ensure that justice is served. This includes helping local communities, encouraging education, and lifting up the voices of young people who show as much promise as Mr. Durkin-White.
Read Noah Durkin-White’s winning essay and watch his interview here.
With over 25 years of legal experience, Paul Hammack provides his clients with a level of trial expertise and strategic insight rarely found in personal injury litigation. Having spent the first eight years of his career working within major insurance defense firms across Georgia and South Carolina, Paul gained an intimate understanding of the “other side’s” playbook. This insurance industry background serves as a unique differentiator for his clients; he knows exactly how insurance carriers evaluate risk and what motivates them to pay top dollar for a claim.
In 2008, Paul founded Hammack Law Firm to move away from the “plaintiff mill” model and focus on building personal relationships with those he represents. As a seasoned litigator, he has tried dozens of first-chair cases to verdict, specializing in high-stakes litigation involving catastrophic injuries and complex truck accidents. His dual-state practice allows him to provide aggressive representation across both South Carolina and Georgia, ensuring victims of negligence receive the maximum financial compensation possible regardless of which side of the state line the accident occurred.
Paul’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his record of significant achievements, including a $10 million tractor-trailer wrongful death settlement and a $3.9 million moped-versus-truck recovery. His credentials and bar admissions in both South Carolina and Georgia underscore his deep roots in the regional legal community. Beyond the courtroom, Paul is a dedicated advocate for his local community, contributing his time and resources to organizations such as the United Way, Red Cross, and Hands On Greenville, all while working to make South Carolina a safer place for everyone.
